I simply can't help it; I am a sucker for neon signs. I just love their clear glowing lines, their curves and bends, their warm though discreet presence in the night. And I hate to see them go.

Since the invention of the long luminous gas-discharge tubes containing neon or other noble gases in the beginning of the 20th century, the faces of our cities have become lovelier and livelier than ever. But despite the retro-revival sentiment, neon signs are going extinct, thanks to all the new advertising technology, the super cheap led lights, illuminated 3D boxes, and the huge, billion coloured screens and displays.

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These images are an ode to beautiful neon signs, mostly from around the US where they were extremely popular from the 1920s to the 1960s. Share your own favourite neon signs, if you have any, in the comments below.